Get help with the SIM in your iPad

On your iPad, you might get an alert about your SIM. Or maybe you set up cellular-data service on your iPad using the Apple SIM, embedded Apple SIM, or eSIM, but can't connect to the network. These steps can help.

If you get an alert about your SIM card

Make sure that your iPad works with an Apple SIM. If you're not sure which iPad model you have, find out. Some iPad models can use an Apple SIM card in the nano-SIM tray, while other models have an embedded Apple SIM and a nano-SIM tray:

iPad models with eSIM

iPad Pro 11-inch Wi-Fi + Cellular

iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular

If you can't set up cellular service, or if your iPad can't scan the QR code that your carrier gave you, contact your carrier for help.

iPad models that can use an Apple SIM card in the nano-SIM tray

iPad (5th generation and later) Wi-Fi + Cellular model

iPad Pro (all Wi-Fi + Cellular models2)

iPad Air 2 Wi-Fi + Cellular model

iPad mini 3 or later Wi-Fi + Cellular model

If you install an Apple SIM in a different iPad model, you'll get an "Invalid SIM" alert.

iPad models with an embedded Apple SIM

iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular

iPad Pro 10.5-inch Wi-Fi + Cellular

iPad Pro (9.7-inch) Wi-Fi + Cellular

These models also have a nano-SIM tray, which you can use with a nano-SIM card from a carrier or an active Apple SIM. If you insert an unused Apple SIM card into one of these models, you'll get a message saying that the SIM card isn't compatible and recommending that you use the embedded Apple SIM.

You might need to get a carrier-specific SIM card. Contact your preferred carrier1 for help.

To make sure that you’re using an Apple SIM, check for a digital identifier called a chip serial number (CSN). On your iPad, go to Settings > General > About and look for CSN. If you don't find a CSN on the About screen, tap ICCID. If you still don't see a CSN (tapping ICCID doesn't do anything), you might not have an Apple SIM. Contact your carrier1 for help.

If you can’t connect to the cellular data network

Make sure that your iPad is activated on the carrier's network. To check, return to the screen where you set up cellular data service or added a new plan:

Settings > Cellular Data > Set Up Cellular Data

Settings > Cellular Data > Data Plan > Add a New Plan

If you set up your plan and still can't connect, contact the carrier1 for help.

If you aren't sure which carrier to call, remove the SIM card and check the card for the carrier's name or logo.

The Wi-Fi + Cellular models of iPad Pro support existing Apple SIM cards that have an active cellular data plan. If you insert an unused Apple SIM card into one of these models, you'll get a message saying that the SIM card isn't compatible and recommending that you use the embedded Apple SIM.

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